Wrexham have paid a nominal fee to Blue Square Premier outfit Wycombe for the versatile Critchell, 21 who has signed a two year deal.

The former Wales under 21 international, who had one year left on his contract at Weymouth, had other offers but he jumped at the chance of joining Wrexham and linking up with manager Brian Little.

"A few people has said, 'why stay in the Blue Square Premier?" said Critchell today. "Although Wrexham are not a Football League club, it does not bother me.

"It is a big club and it was all about the ambitions of the manager.
"The gaffer is a legend and he sold the club to me.

"I had a few other offers but as soon as I heard Wrexham were interested I did not blink. I did not hesiate to sign when I was shown around.

"Wrexham are a big club and not where they want to be.

"It won't be easy this season because it is a physical league. But a club of this size has to be pushing for promotion, and I am sure we have the players who can achieve that."

Former Southampton trainee Critchell, a full-back who can also play in midfield, had a spell on loan at Torquay before joining Chesterfield in 2007, but he left the Spirities for Weymouth last summer to move closer to home.

"I went to Weymouth because my sister was ill. She has spina bifida and was very ill and I wanted to go home to be close to my family," said Critchell.

"I was only intending to be there a year and this move is a great chance for me.

"I am just a young lad who wants to keep improving.

"I have got faith in my ability. That is not being cocky, I just have confidence in myself.

"But I have to show that ability with Wrexham."

Critchell, who impressed Wrexham's coaching staff during the recent Four Nations semi-pro tournament, is determined to make the most of his move to The Racecourse.

"I'm quite a family person. Family means a lot to me and the move won't be easy. But I don't want life to be easy," said Critchell.

"You can't be content at your hometown club, you have to try and keep improving – that's why I've come here.

"I aim to improve the club and myself.

"I don't like my life being easy and I will work at my game.

"This is like a new beginning and I want to get down to the nitty gritty now – that's the way I am."

But Critchell, who made 42 appearances last term, will miss the first three games of the new season through suspension.

Critchell was sent off in Weymouth's last game against Altrincham and he said: "I reacted to a bad tackle but I am a young lad and will learn from it.

"It will be hard not playing as fans will see all the other new players.
"I will play in pre-season, but it is the league you want to be involved in and I only missed a few games last year."

Little is delighted to have signed the highly rated Critchell and is thought to be monitoring a centre-back who could sign before the Reds return for pre-season training tomorrow.

"Weymouth have a piece of Kyle in the future if he moves on, but we have done a small deal that suits us," said Little.

"Kyle is someone we are very impressed with and feel will give us another dimension.

"We have seen Kyle play in a specific position but he is versatile with a bit of everything.

"He is highly thought of. I have been trying to sign him for a while so we are very pleased he has signed."

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